Life is dynamic—goals shift, responsibilities evolve, and priorities realign. But that doesn’t mean you have to abandon your execution system. The 4 Disciplines of Execution (4DX) is flexible enough to support you through life transitions—as long as you adjust your rhythm intentionally.
In this article, you’ll learn how to adapt your 4DX process during seasons of change, without losing momentum.
What Kinds of Life Changes Disrupt 4DX?
- New job or promotion
- Moving to a new city
- Family or caregiving responsibilities
- Health issues
- Burnout or energy shifts
- Starting a business or ending a project
Change isn’t failure—it’s feedback. Adjusting keeps your system aligned with reality.
Step 1: Acknowledge the New Season You’re In
Ask:
- What’s changed in my energy, time, focus, or responsibility?
- What is no longer working in my old 4DX system?
- What does this version of me need?
Awareness prevents resistance.
Step 2: Redefine Your WIG With Context
A good Wildly Important Goal (WIG) should:
- Fit your current bandwidth
- Reflect your actual values and season
- Be emotionally energizing, not draining
Examples:
- Old: “Post 4 YouTube videos/week”
- New: “Maintain 1 video/week and stabilize my schedule by November 1”
Step 3: Adjust Your Lead Measures Thoughtfully
Instead of “pushing through,” reset your habits.
Tips:
- Reduce frequency (e.g., 5×/week → 2×/week)
- Change timing to fit new routines
- Use lower-effort formats (audio notes instead of written journal)
Make consistency easier, not harder.
Step 4: Simplify the Scoreboard
During change, complexity kills momentum.
Keep it to:
- 1 lead measure
- 1 visible tracker (not buried in apps)
- 1 weekly review point
Simplicity sustains execution during chaos.
Step 5: Keep the Weekly WIG Session Alive
Even if everything else is in flux—protect your review time.
It helps you:
- Regain control
- Pause and reflect
- Feel grounded despite the noise
This session is your anchor.
Real-Life Example: Adapting 4DX During a Family Move
WIG (before): Write 1 blog post/day
Change: Moved across country + new child
Adapted plan:
- New WIG: 2 blog posts/week + maintain journaling
- Lead measure: write 3 mornings/week, no weekends
- Scoreboard: handwritten chart on fridge
- Weekly review: Sunday night with tea
Result: Stayed connected to progress despite massive change.
Final Thought: Systems Don’t Break—They Evolve
The 4DX method doesn’t need to be perfect—it needs to be yours.
When life changes, don’t fight your system.
Redesign it to match your new reality.
That’s how you stay in motion—no matter what life throws at you.